Overview
Arjuna is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for ulcers. Arjuna is one of the most important cardiac drugs in Ayurveda. It is a large evergreen tree found along river banks throughout India. The bark is thick, smooth, white-grey and peels off in flat pieces. The bark is the principal medicinal part. It is the drug of choice in Hridroga (heart diseases) and is used extensively in cardiac debility, heart failure, and angina. The bark is given with milk or as decoction with honey. Arjuna bark strengthens the heart muscle and improves cardiac output. It is also useful in fractures - the bark decoction promotes bone healing. The bark ash is applied to wounds. The chemical composition includes Arjunin (a glycoside), Arjunic acid, about 16% tannin, and significant quantities of Calcium. Vagbhata recommends it specifically for heart conditions. Dose: Bark powder 3-6 masha; decoction 1-2 tola. Verses: Described under Vatadi Varga.
How Arjuna Helps with Ulcers
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Arjuna has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing ulcers:
- Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Kashaya (astringent)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Astringent (Kashaya)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold (Sheeta)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Arjunin, Arjunic acid, Tannins (16%), Calcium salts
- Also Known As
- English: Arjuna Tree, Arjun
Sanskrit: अर्जुन, ककुभ, नदीसर्ज, वीरवृक्ष, इन्द्रद्रुम, धनञ्जय, पार्थ
Hindi: अर्जुन, कोह
▶ Classical Text References (4 sources)
2-3 – DANTADHAVANA / CLEANING OF TEETH शर र च तां नव य कृतशौच व ध ततः अक य ोधख दरकर जककुभा दजम ् ातभु वा च म ृ व ं कषायकटु त तकम ् भ ये तपवनं द तमांसा यबाधयन ् कनी य सम थौ यं गुणं वादशा गुलम ् Keeping in view, the condition of his body, the individual should pass urine and faeces, clean teeth with any of the twigs of following herbs – Arka (Calotropis procera), Vata (Ficus benghalensis), Khadira (Acacia catechu), Karanja (Pongamia pinnata), Kakubha (Terminalia arjuna).
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dinacharya Daily Routine
in patients of – diseases like Krchronmilla –difficulty in opening eyes Shiraharsha, Shirotpata – redness and hemorrhage Tama – darkness in front of eyes Arjuna,Syanda, Mantha, Anyato Vata, Vataparyaya, and Sukraka;
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Tarpana Putpaka Vidhi
the leaves should not be ripened ones but should be young – tender ones, not having holes, good in all respects, washed well and not rough, should belong to trees which have milky sap, Bhurja, Arjuna or Kadamba.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Shastrakarma Vidhi
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dinacharya Daily Routine; Tarpana Putpaka Vidhi; Shastrakarma Vidhi
The fumigation with jatu (lac), sevya (Vetiveria zizanoides), patra (Cinnamomum tamala), guggulu (Commiphora mukul), bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium), flower of kakubha (Terminalia arjuna), sarjarasa (Vateria indica) and shveta (Clitoria ternatea) is an excellent remedy for curing poisoning by snake and rat bite.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Bark of katabhy (Albizzia procera), arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), shirisha (Albizzia lebbeck), shleshmataka (Cordia dichotoma) and bark of kshiridruma (Ficus bengalensis, Ficus recemosa, Ficus lacor, Thespesia poulnea, Ficus religiosa) used as decoction, paste and powder destroy the wounds caused by insects and spiders.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
For covering the wound, leaves of kadamba, arjuna, nimba, patala (Stereospermum suaveolens DC.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)
By dusting the wounds with the powders of barks of kakubha (Termalia arjuna), udumbara, asvattha, lodhra (Symplocos racemosa Roxb), jambu (Eugenia jambolana Lam) and katphala (Myrica esculenta they heals the skin quickly.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)
Powder of pippali, sati, puskaramula, rasna, vacha, haritaki, sunthi [97] Decoction (three part) of udumbara, asvattha, vata, arjuna, palasa, rohitaka, khadira and powder of trivrita, trikatu(shunti ,maricha, pippali) and made into a linctus with warm water cures kaphaja hridroga.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Shirajapitika (scleral vessel papule), Kaphagrathitaka (Kapha nodule), Arjuna, Snavyarma (tendon-like growth), and Shonitarma (blood-vessel growth) — these are the scleral diseases.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 7: Rogagananam (Enumeration of Diseases)
Arjuna Tvak Kvatha: the bark of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) should be decocted with milk.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 2: Kvathakalpana (Decoction Preparations)
Arjuna bark decoction with milk is one of the most celebrated cardiac tonics in Ayurveda, widely used to this day for cardiovascular support.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 2: Kvathakalpana (Decoction Preparations)
For Vyanga (melasma/hyperpigmentation): a paste of Arjuna bark (Terminalia arjuna) with Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia) and Multani Mitti (fuller's earth), or a paste with fresh butter, or white horse hoof ash with Jati (Jasminum grandiflorum).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Multiple options for melasma treatment: Arjuna bark is a potent skin-lightening agent, Manjishtha purifies blood, and fuller's earth adsorbs excess sebum and pigment.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 7: Rogagananam (Enumeration of Diseases); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 2: Kvathakalpana (Decoction Preparations); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Also shuktika (oyster-shell-like growth), arjuna, pishtaka (paste-like lesion), sirajala (vascular network), and pindaka (nodule).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 4: Shuklagata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases of the Sclera/White of the Eye)
A single moon-white spot in the sclera is called arjuna.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 4: Shuklagata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases of the Sclera/White of the Eye)
In shushkakshipaka, kapha/pitta-vidagdha-drishti, amladhyushita, shukra, arjuna, and pishtaka also.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 8: Chikitsa Pravibhaga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Classification of Treatments)
Prepared from patali, arjuna, shriparni, dhataki, dhatri (amla), and bilva (bael).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)
Conch shell with honey and sugar, or sea-foam alone — these two liquid preparations are prescribed as anjana for destroying arjuna (pterygium-like eye lesion).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 4: Shuklagata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases of the Sclera/White of the Eye); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 8: Chikitsa Pravibhaga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Classification of Treatments); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)
Safety & Precautions
Arjuna has an excellent safety profile. It has been used in food-like quantities for three millennia, no significant toxicity has been reported at standard doses, and the Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists no specific contraindications. That said — and this is where most modern users need clear guidance — Arjuna is almost always taken alongside conventional cardiac medication, and a few pharmacological interactions genuinely matter.
Drug Interactions — Read This Carefully
If you are on cardiac medication, none of these interactions are dangerous at standard Arjuna doses, but they do require awareness and basic monitoring:
- Antihypertensives (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, diuretics): Arjuna has a mild blood-pressure-lowering effect. The effect is additive — not dramatic, but real. Monitor your blood pressure for the first 2-4 weeks after adding Arjuna. If readings drift too low or you feel lightheaded, your doctor may reduce the dose of your conventional medication rather than stopping Arjuna.
- Beta-blockers (metoprolol, atenolol, bisoprolol): Arjuna has a mild negative chronotropic effect — it can slow heart rate slightly. Combined with a beta-blocker, this may produce additive bradycardia. Monitor resting pulse; if it falls below 55 bpm or you feel fatigued, reduce Arjuna or discuss with your doctor.
- Digoxin: Theoretical concern only. Arjuna has mild cardiac glycoside-like activity, and while no clinical interaction with digoxin has been documented, the two should be taken under supervision with standard digoxin-level monitoring.
- Anticoagulants (warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban): Arjuna has mild antiplatelet activity. The effect is small, but if you are on anticoagulation, let your physician know before starting, and watch for any unusual bruising or bleeding.
- Hypoglycemic drugs (metformin, insulin, sulfonylureas): Arjuna modestly lowers blood glucose. If you are on diabetes medication, monitor fasting glucose for the first month after starting.
- Thyroid medication (levothyroxine): High doses of Arjuna have shown a mild suppressive effect on thyroid function in animal studies. Clinically relevant only at supra-therapeutic doses, but patients on thyroid replacement should monitor TSH if using Arjuna long-term at high dose.
When Arjuna Is Not the Right Herb
- Acute angina, myocardial infarction, or unstable chest pain: Arjuna is a preventive and restorative herb, not an emergency medicine. For acute cardiac events, call emergency services and take prescribed sublingual nitrates. Resume Arjuna only after stabilisation, under guidance.
- Severe hypotension or symptomatic low blood pressure: Arjuna can lower blood pressure slightly. In patients with already low readings or postural hypotension, it may worsen symptoms.
- Known allergy to Combretaceae family: Rare, but people with documented allergy to related plants (Haritaki, Bibhitaki) should introduce Arjuna cautiously.
Pregnancy and Nursing
Classical Ayurvedic texts describe Arjuna as safe — and in fact useful — during pregnancy, particularly for cardiac strain and swelling of cardiac origin. It is not listed among the herbs contraindicated in pregnancy by any classical source. Modern evidence is limited but reassuring at dietary doses. Stick to the classical Ksheerapaka form (bark simmered in milk) at 3-5 grams daily rather than concentrated extracts, and use under an Ayurvedic practitioner's guidance during pregnancy.
Overdose and Long-Term Use
Arjuna is well-tolerated at standard doses (3-6g bark powder daily, or 500 mg extract twice daily). At very high doses, mild gastric irritation, constipation (from the astringent bark), or mild hypotension may occur. These resolve with dose reduction. Long-term use over years is classical and well-tolerated — the Bhavaprakash Nighantu describes Arjuna as suitable for continuous daily use in chronic cardiac patients.
Quality and Sourcing
Arjuna is harvested as bark, which is prone to adulteration with related tree barks (other Terminalia species or unrelated trees with similar appearance). Choose Arjuna products that specify Terminalia arjuna on the label, ideally with a standardised tannin or arjunolic acid content. Dried, unprocessed bark powder should smell faintly astringent and have a pale reddish-brown colour — not grey, and not perfumed.
Other Herbs for Ulcers
See all herbs for ulcers on the Ulcers page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.